Governor Dinwiddie Hotel and Suites, an Ascend Collection, Portsmouth

The location suited us. It is an old restored place and they seem to get a lot of working people from the shipyards, and merchant marines who stay for extended times, as well as railroad workers. It being an old building, I am sure that there must be some problems once in a while. We had no roaches show their faces and no plumbing problems. We found our room clean and well appointed on the 4th floor. The windows are able to be opened, which we like. The staff was pleasant and all arrangements went just fine. We really had no situation to deal with, so I can't comment on well they might handle a "situation". They have a Starbucks coffee machine in the lobby that makes an excellent cup of coffee and is available at all hours. It if free for guests. Since some of the marines and shipworkers come and stay for extended times,so there were some food odors in the hallways. One woman decided that she could actually smoke in the hallway if she hung out the window! She looked so pathetic, hanging out the window for her fix of nicotine. Since we were leaving, and since life is short anyway, we just decided to let it pass. But, I did detect some smoking odors. here and there in the building. We were pleased with our stay, but I could understand why it would not suit some others. One real criticism I have is that the bed sheets were not quality. They were cheap and thin and badly fittting on the mattress. If you are looking for that big, soft comfy bed like at the Hyatt, you will be disappointed. It was allright, but not great. Portsmouth historic district is nice and seems relatively safe. There is not much to do right there, but we had another agenda. It is nice to walk around the restored neighborhoods and there is easy access across the river to Norfolk. It is pleasant, although it is not a very lively place. We did not find much choose from for restaurants. A good German place across the street was good to find. Pleasant for the price, clean with some caveats (hallway food odors and the smoker), not really great beds, great available coffee. Not the Hyatt, but not a dive, by any means. Internet access was a little slow, but sufficient for surfing.

DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL! When we got to our first room we were welcomed in by a very large roach. Within the first hour of being there, we encountered 2 more. They were kind enough to give us a new room that wasn't bug infested, but we had to sacrifice a working toilet.

PLEASE!!!! DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL. My husband, daughter & I had a schedule room for this hotel from 7/4 - 7/6/08. Unfortunately, our stay was cut in half. We actually decided to depart this facility due to toilet problems. From the point of check in until the next morning, we continuously had toilet plumbing problems. The hotel promised we'd be placed in another room, only later to be told they have no available space. We were then told we could get a 25% reduction for our stay due to the inconvenience(s) faced during our stay. However, they wouldn't even honor that after it was promised. Additionally, management never contacted my husband and I after several HOURS of attempts by us to him. It was finally resolved when I called the Portsmouth, VA police so that I could make a formal complaint. My family & I travel quite routinely, and this has been by far the EPITOMY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE - THE WORST LODGING CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! K. Whitfield

I would put a zero if it allows. I reserved one room for one night through priceline. Then realized i needed two rooms for two nights. I called the hotel and asked if it was possible to add a room and extend it to two nights at the same rate. They said no problem and gave me a confirmation number. Two days later (one day before I checked in) they called me at noon saying they would not be able to honor the same rate. I was upset. Then I asked to cancel the additional room and the additional night for the original room reserved through priceline. They said since I didn't cancel it within 24 hours and I would be charged for one night! This is what they do, they ask the customer to pay for their mistakes. They kept you waiting for very long time when you tried to discuss with them and then they hung up your call. I will never stay in this hotel again!

Overall this was a nice hotel. The rooms were nice, the staff was very nice. The breakfast was outstanding! It was a great place, except for the location. I am not a city person, so I didn’t like the location. You are only 3-4 blocks from areas you don’t want to walk around in alone, especially at night. It is not on the waterfront either. It is right across the street from an excellent bar/restaurant though (I forget the name of it). I would have given it a 5, but the location spooked me.

1) Not easy to get up the steps (or even in the front door) with suitcases 2) The hallway and room where I stayed smelled like disgusting stale cigarette smoke 3) The window next to the bathroom just had a VERY THIN curtain covering it, so at night with the light on the person going to the bathroom could also give a show to the people in downtown Portsmouth 4) The iron ruined my blouse that I started to iron because it had some black soot looking on it (and now it is on my blouse). 5) The beds and pillows are uncomfortable and the sheets are really cheap. 6) It reminds me of an old "assisted living" facility that was turned into a hotel. 7) Make reservations somewhere else.